Review: Disquieting, Disturbing and Dreadful

This one-night-only event at the Indiana History Center created spooky atmosphere along the canal. Cool fall air and the reverberation of storyteller voices off the walls of the deep-set waterway sent shivers down my spine as stories by Elizabeth Gaskells, Edgar Allen Poe, W.W. Jacobs and others were brought to life.

While I love Deborah Asante's presence on stage, her re-examination of Poe's Tell-Tale Heart failed to capture the true suspense of the story.

Lou Ann Homan brings infectious effervescence to her storytelling and creates an easy rapport with the audience. Even as hecklers crossed along the canal behind, Homan held our rapt attention with her words. Sally Perkins embodied the characters of her story fully, leaving just enough room for our imaginations to flesh out their realities.

Jim May managed to make everyone jump from their seats during the biggest spook of the evening, manufactured with nothing more than a clever lulling of our senses and a shocking scream. His one-two-punch left our hearts beating fast as giggles echoed across the canal. A true experience, this is one event to look out for next year.